Chrysanthemum plant named Dark Parasol

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Dark Parasol characterized by its large dark purple ray florets which vary in shape from completely flat to spoon to completely quilled, white quills near disc florets, resistance to fading at high temperatures, compact habit and even flowering, superior breaking, yellow-green to yellow disc florets, and its generally eight week flowering response.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Dark Parasol.

Dark Parasol was originated from a mutation resulting from a controlledradiation program in Parrish, Fla. in 1983, with the purpose of theradiation program being to expand the color range of the parent cultivarParasol, disclosed in a pending application of applicant and Leonard H.Shoesmith. Tissue cultured plants of Parasol were given 900 rads ofX-ray energy in the radiation program.

Dark Parasol was discovered and selected as one flowering plant withinthe population of the irradiated plants of the parent cultivar Parasolby Peter S. Hesse in March of 1983 in a controlled environment inParrish, Fla.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Dark Parasol was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in Augustof 1983 in a controlled environment in Parrish, Fla. by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by Peter S. Hesse.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in October of 1983has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Dark Parasol are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Dark Parasol has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Parrish, Fla. and West Chicago, Ill. under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Dark Parasol, which in combinationdistinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Eight week flowering response, 2-3 days later than Parasol.

2. More compact and even flowering than Parasol.

3. 3-4 breaks per pinch, producing a full plant.

4. Flat capitulum, 80-120 mm in diameter with about 33 ray florets perflower.

5. Ray florets are large, up to 60 mm long and 12 mm wide.

6. Ray florets are purple in color and range in shape from completelyflat to spoon to completely quilled.

7. Dark purple flowers are more resistant than the flowers of Parasol tofading at high temperatures.

8. Leaves are large (up to 130 mm long and 100 mm wide) and generallyellipical, with deeply lobed and slightly serrated margins.

9. Yellow green (immature) to yellow (mature) disc floret color.

10. Plants finish about 30 cm above the edge of the pot.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Dark Parasol is Parasol. In comparison toParasol, Dark Parasol has a more compact habit, is more even flowering,and has a more uniform purple color intermediate the relatively darkerand lighter shades of Parasol produced under low (58°-75° F.) and high(75°-85° F.) night temperatures, respectively. Dark Parasol also retainsits color better than Parasol at high temperatures. Othercharacteristics of Dark Parasol are generally similar to those samecharacteristics of Parasol.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Dark Parasol. The drawing comprises a blackand white photograph with one flower being colored to depict tube andray floret color.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween Noon and 1 p.m. on May 21, 1986 under fluorescent light atBradenton, Fla.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Dark Parasol.

Commercial.--Pot mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Novelty daisy or single.

Diameter Across Face.--80-120 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Dark Purple.

Color.--Tubes are white, 155D; upper surface of ray florets 78A-B, undersurface of ray florets varying from 75A to 75D.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow.

Color (immature).--Yellow-green.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in all disc florets; many.

Gynoecium.--Present in all ray florets; many.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Plants finish about 30 cm above the edge of the pot.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Generally elliptical; with deeply lobed and serrated margins.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant namedDark Parasol, as described and illustrated, and characterized by itslarge dark purple ray florets which vary in shape from completely flatto spoon to completely quilled, white quills near disc florets,resistance to fading at high temperatures, compact habit and evenflowering, superior breaking, yellow-green to yellow disc florets, andits generally eight week flowering response.